After three trips to the PGA Tour, each lasting a single season, Paul Claxton knows how fleeting success can be. After earning more than $1.6 million, Claxton also knows how fleeting the money is.
“It’s all gone, unfortunately,” said Claxton, 39. “That money’s been gone for a while.”
It might take Claxton a while to spend his earnings from the Melwood Prince George’s County Open, however. Firing a final-round 67, he staved off a host of challengers to claim the inaugural tournament. Claxton shot 18-under (70-66-67-67 — 270) at the Country Club at Woodmore to win by one shot and earn the biggest check of his professional career.
The victory ended a six-year drought and made Claxton the first player to earn more than $1 million on the Nationwide Tour.
“I’ve played a lot of years out here and I’ve had a lot of chances to win,” said the Georgia native. “I think you learn from all that.”
Claxton foughtoff a challenge from his playing partner, South African Jaco Van Zyl, whose birdie putt on No. 18 hung on the lip and failed to drop. Also finishing a stroke back was former University of Virginia star James Driscoll, who eagled No. 11 and birdied the final two holes to also close to within a shot.
“I expecting it to be nerve-wracking, but Paul, being such a calm, collected guy, it was really good fun,” said Van Zyl. “He hardly shows any emotion. He looks like he’s out on a Friday afternoon with three of his friends, just having fun.”
On the back nine, Claxton and Van Zyl engaged in a riveting one-on-one duel. Van Zyl pulled even with a birdie at No. 12. Claxton regained the edge with a 15-foot birdie putt at No. 13. But Van Zyl pulled even again, chipping in from 25 feet at No. 15.
At No. 17 they remained tied and had nearly identical 18-foot putts uphill. Claxton went first and rammed his home. But Van Zyl left his short to fall behind by a stroke.
“I knew he was going to get a good read on me,” joked Claxton. “So I gave him as good a read as I could.”
At No. 18, Claxton ran his 20-foot downhill putt, three feet past but drilled his par putt into the center of the hole. With the win, he virtually guaranteed his slot on next year’s PGA Tour.
Some might view his $1 million man status on the Nationwide Tour with ignominy. Not Claxton.
“There are a lot of guys who would love to be on the Nationwide Tour,” said Claxton. “They can call it the minor leagues and developmental tour. But until you come out here and try to make a living. You find out there’s nothing minor about playing out here.”
